Montgomery County Public Schools is taking another major step to reduce distractions in the classroom by expanding its bell-to-bell cell phone policy to all high schools beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Starting August 25, high school students will no longer be allowed to use their cell phones during the school day. School leaders say feedback from teachers, parents, and students showed broad agreement that cell phones have become a significant distraction to learning and student engagement. District officials hope the change will help improve academic focus, reduce interruptions during instruction, and create a more engaging learning environment throughout the school day. With smartphones playing such a central role in everyday life, the new policy represents a significant shift in how students will navigate their school day.